The Saintoise, also known as the “Sentwaz” in Creole, is the result of the exceptional skills of marine carpenters of Breton origin, who settled in Les Saintes during the 18th century. Designed specifically for fishing, this traditional boat is perfectly adapted to the maritime conditions of the West Indies.

The hull is made of various types of wood, including northern timber, mahogany and pearwood. What particularly sets this boat apart is its unique sail: a central mast supporting a jib and a large triangular sail, making it a fast and agile vessel. Thanks to its stability and excellent performance at sea, the saintoise has surpassed the pirogue and gommier once commonly used in Martinique and Dominica.

Used for different types of fishing, there are three distinct types of canoe, each adapted to different uses:

- THE MISAINE, 3.5 to 4 m long, 1.4 m wide and equipped with a single sail (no jib), was the boat for small-scale fishing. It could carry a maximum of two people.

- THE “PETIT BOAT” AND THE “GRAND BOAT”, canoes with two sails, differed only in size. The “petit boat” was 5 m long and 1.9 m wide, and could take up to four fishermen. The “grand boat”, 6.5 m long and 1.9 m wide, was ideal for trolling and offshore fishing. It could accommodate five or six people.

- Seine fishing was carried out in boats 8 to 9 m long and around 2 m wide. These LARGE SAINTOISES, which could carry a dozen people with a seine net crammed into the stern third, were rowed.

The arrival of the outboard motor in the 1960s marked a revolution in sailing and fishing in the Lesser Antilles. Alain Foy, a talented and innovative marine carpenter from Les Saintes, took advantage of this technological advance by adapting the traditional sailboat to the new technology. The result is the Saintoise motorboat, which is sure to be a hit with fishermen in the Lesser Antilles.

 Thanks to this adaptation, the hull of the boats became more stable and better adapted to the weight of the motor.

When it comes to building traditional sailing canoes, the work of a marine carpenter is a real art, requiring time and precision. On average, it takes about two months to build such a canoe.

 Several decades ago, every fisherman in Les Saintes owned a sailing dinghy. On feast days in Les Saintes, regattas were organized in the bay. The Saintoise has become a key component of the heritage and cultural identity of the Saintes islands. Its practice is rapidly developing in Guadeloupe's nautical scene, becoming a new sporting discipline, traditional sailing.

The Comité Guadeloupéen de Voile Traditionnelle (CGVT) had the brilliant idea of creating the Tour de la Guadeloupe de Voile Traditionnelle (TGVT), which now attracts over forty crews, compared with just seven for the first edition in 2002. The event has enjoyed growing success year after year.

 In 2017, the creation of the Classe des Canots Saintois de Voile Traditionnelle de Guadeloupe, affiliated to the Fédération Française de Voile, marked a decisive turning point for this discipline. This association brings together Saint canoe sailors and anyone interested in developing the sport. Its mission is to bring together sailing enthusiasts.

Today, the Traditour is the flagship event in the Saint-Sauveur canoe class sporting calendar. The regatta's course consists of a five-stage circumnavigation of Guadeloupe. In addition to its sporting aspect, the Traditour is also an event that showcases Guadeloupe's cultural heritage.